Trump's 10% tariff on China is now in effect, affecting a range of medications relied upon by many Americans, including pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, cancer treatments, and blood thinners. Any disruption in supply could lead to shortages or delays.
According to The Hill, a significant portion of U.S. prescription and over-the-counter medications is sourced from China, with 91% being non-patented and produced there. John Murphy, president and CEO of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), emphasized that China is a key supplier of essential starting materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients in the non-patented drug supply chain, stating that rare minerals and critical starting materials remain vital to the supply chain.
Murphy noted that the 10% tariff will significantly impact the costs of non-patented drugs and their related supply chains, as many U.S. pharmaceutical companies do not maintain large inventories of these medications. Senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), pointed out that U.S. drug manufacturers are shifting focus to other businesses, with many pharmaceutical companies opting to produce more complex drugs, increasing reliance on imports. At the same time, China seeks to enhance its production capacity, further strengthening its market dominance.
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